Knowledge extraction of sonophotocatalytic treatment for acid blue 113 dye removal by artificial neural networks.

Removing decolorizing acid blue 113 (AB113) dye from textile wastewater is challenging due to its high stability and resistance to removal. In this study, we used an artificial neural network (ANN) model to estimate the effect of five different variables on AB113 dye removal in the sonophotocatalytic process. The five variables considered were reaction time (5-25 min), pH (3-11), ZnO dosage (0.2-1.0 g/L), ultrasonic power (100-300 W/L), and persulphate dosage (0.2-3 mmol/L). The most effective model had a 5-7-1 architecture, with an average deviation of 0.44 and R2 of 0.99. A sensitivity analysis was used to analyze the impact of different process variables on removal efficiency and to identify the most effective variable settings for maximum dye removal. Then, an imaginary sonophotocatalytic system was created to measure the quantitative impact of other process parameters on AB113 dye removal. The optimum process parameters for maximum AB 113 removal were identified as 6.2 pH, 25 min reaction time, 300 W/L ultrasonic power, 1.0 g/L ZnO dosage, and 2.54 mmol/L persulfate dosage. The model created was able to identify trends in dye removal and can contribute to future experiments.

Modeling and optimization of process parameters of biofilm reactor for wastewater treatment.

The efficiency of heavy metal in biofilm reactors depends on absorption process parameters, and those relationships are complicated. This study explores artificial neural networks (ANNs) feasibility to correlate the biofilm reactor process parameters with absorption efficiency. The heavy metal removal and turbidity were modeled as a function of five process parameters, namely pH, temperature(°C), feed flux(ml/min), substrate flow(ml/min), and hydraulic retention time(h). We developed a standalone ANN software for predicting and analyzing the absorption process in handling industrial wastewater. The model was tested extensively to confirm that the predictions are reasonable in the context of the absorption kinetics principles. The model predictions showed that the temperature and pH values are the most influential parameters affecting absorption efficiency and turbidity.

Prediction of batch sorption of barium and strontium from saline water.

Celestite and barite formation results in contamination of barium and strontium ions hinder oilfield water purification. Conversion of bio-waste sorbent products deals with a viable, sustainable and clean remediation approach for removing contaminants. Biochar sorbent produced from rice straw was used to remove barium and strontium ions of saline water from petroleum industries. The removal efficiency depends on biochar amount, pH, contact time, temperature, and Ba/Sr concentration ratio. The interactions and effects of these parameters with removal efficiency are multifaceted and nonlinear. We used an artificial neural network (ANN) model to explore the correlation between process variables and sorption responses. The ANN model is more accurate than that of existing kinetic and isotherm equations in assessing barium and strontium removal with adj. R2 values of 0.994 and 0.991, respectively. We developed a standalone user interface to estimate the barium and strontium removal as a function of sorption process parameters. Sensitivity analysis and quantitative estimation were carried out to study individual process variables' impact on removal efficiency.

ZrO2-toughened Al2O3-based near-net shaped femoral head: Unique fabrication approach, 3D microstructure, burst strength and muscle cell response.

The development of reliable biomedical devices demands the use of an integrated manufacturing protocol with comprehensive understanding of prototype characterization in terms of 3D microstructural analysis along with biocompatibility. While addressing these issues for ZrO2 (3mol% Y2O3 stabilized)-toughened Al2O3-based femoral head prototypes, the present work reports a unique fabrication protocol involving a sequence of uniaxial compaction followed by pre-sintering, machining, final sintering and polishing to ensure dimensional tolerance with respect to the design of patient-specific femoral head. The prototypes are characterized by a clinically relevant surface finish (Ra ~0.2µm) with good geometric circularity (±50µm). Extensive µCT analysis at different regions of interest confirms a homogeneous distribution and 3D spatial orientation of ZrO2 across the volume of the defect-free prototype. Further, an in vitro cell culture with a murine myoblast cell line (C2C12) over a period of 72h showed an increase in the number of mitochondrially-active cells and good cellular attachment with oriented cellular bridge formation, which confirms the excellent cytocompatibility. The as-machined ZTA femoral heads fracture at a load of 15.3kN during burst tests, conducted following ISO guidelines. Taken together, this novel fabrication approach can be effectively utilised in the development of near-net shaped bioceramic-based femoral ball heads.

Starch nanocrystals based hydrogel: Construction, characterizations and transdermal application.

Bio-based nanocomposites were prepared using starch nanocrystals obtained by acid hydrolysis of native starches using different acid sources. In recent times, focuses on starch nanocrystals (SNCs) have been increasing in number of research works dedicated to the development of bio-nanocomposites by blending with different biopolymeric matrices. The work mainly deals with the preparation of starch nanocrystals using different native starches by acid hydrolysis using hydrochloric acid and trifluroacetic acid. The as-prepared starch nanocrystals are having high crystallinity and more platelet morphologies, and used as a drug carrying filler material in the hydrogel formulations with the care of different polymer matrices. The condensed work also concentrates on the dispersion of antiviral drug in the hydrogels, which are applied onto biocompatible bio-membrane to be formulating a complete transdermal patch. The acid hydrolysed starch nanocrystals were thoroughly characterized using TEM, SEM, particle size analysis and zeta potential. Their thermal stability and the crystalline properties were also characterized using TG-DSC and XRD respectively. The physiochemical interaction and compatibility between the drug and the SNCs filler in the polymeric hydrogels were evaluated using FT-IR analysis. The formulated hydrogels were subjected to evaluation of in vitro permeation studies using Franz diffusion studies. The in vitro study was indicated substantial guarantee for the fabrication of drug dispersed in polymeric hydrogels using SNCs as filler matrices for a successful transdermal drug delivery.

Functional Outcome of Lumbar Discectomy by Fenestration Technique in Lumbar Disc Prolapse - Return to Work and Relief of Pain.

INTRODUCTION: Low back pain affects every population and is one of world's foremost debilitating conditions. Clinically significant sciatica due to lumbar disc prolapse occurs in 4-6% of population. Fenestration discectomy as a surgical procedure is less time consuming, with lesser blood loss, lesser post-operative complications and does not compromise with stability of spine when compared to laminectomy. AIM: Present study was conducted to determine extent of functional recovery i.e. pain relief and return to work in patients with lumbar disc prolapse treated by fenestration technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2010 to March 2012, 50 patients with signs and symptoms of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc who failed to respond to conservative treatment were operated for discectomy by fenestration technique and studied prospectively. Functional outcome was evaluated by 'Back Pain Functional Score (BPFS)' of Strafford et al., PROLO rating scale to determine preoperative functional and economical status and outcome at final follow up after 6 months. In order to identify physical signs from non organic signs Wadell's score system was used. Result of surgery was evaluated with help of McNab's criteria. RESULTS: In our study, according to Back Pain Functional Scale by Strafford et al., and PROLO scale, good results were found in 42 (84%) cases, fair result in 8 cases (16%) and none with poor results at follow up of six months. According to PROLO economical and functional scale, 84% cases were able to join their previous occupation at end of six months and 76% cases had complete pain relief. In our study, correlation of age and duration of symptoms to functional outcome was statistically significant (p=0.089 & p = 0.098+ respectively) showing more good results among patients with age less than 30 years and patients having duration of symptoms less than 6 months. CONCLUSION: Functional outcome of fenestration technique in terms of return to work and complete back and leg pain relief at end of six months had been satisfactory in our study. Moreover, old age, long duration of symptoms and presence multiple psychological issues are negative predictors of functional outcome.

Crystal structure of 3'-(1H-indole-3-carbon-yl)-1'-methyl-2-oxo-4'-(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)spiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine]-3'-carbo-nitrile.

In the title compound, C31H22N4O4, the pyrrolidine ring adopts a twist conformation on the N-CH2 bond. The indolin-2-one and the 1H-indole rings are nearly planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.06 and 0.011 Å, respectively) and are inclined to one another by 34.19 (9)°. The chromene ring system is also nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.029 Å). It is almost normal to the 1H-indole ring system, with a dihedral angle of 88.71 (8)°, and is inclined to the indolin-2-one ring system by 72.76 (8)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to (10-1). The slabs are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Assessment of antifouling efficacy of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane based poly (urea-urethane-imide) hybrid membranes.

UNLABELLED: A series of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based poly(urea-urethane-imide) (PUUI-POSS) membranes were synthesized by varying the proportions of imide using 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and bis(aminopropyl) terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The molecular structures of poly(urea-urethane-imide)s were characterized by Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic technique. Incorporation of imide domain and its influence on surface roughness was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Hydrophobicity of polymeric membrane surfaces was determined by contact angle measurement. The thermal properties of the polymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activities and inhibition of bacterial attachment of these polymeric membranes were studied on Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) by the disc-diffusion method. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The antifouling performance has been evaluated for the polymeric membranes against two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)) (Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739)). The polymeric membranes were incorporated with imide moiety to improve thermal stability of the polymeric materials. The synthesized polymeric membranes have shown good morphological properties for better antifouling activities. This study found that these membranes are capable of preventing micro-organisms besides offering excellent bio-fouling resistance.

Crystal structure of methyl 1-methyl-2-oxo-spiro-[indoline-3,2'-oxirane]-3'-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C12H11NO4, the dihedral angle between the indole ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.019 Å) and the oxirane ring is 88.8 (2)°. The oxirane O atom and the bridging ester O atom are in an approximate syn conformation [O-C-C-O = -25.4 (3)°] In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pair of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate R 2 (2)(8) loops, where the C-H donor group forms part of the oxirane ring. A second C-H⋯O inter-action arising from one of the C-H groups of the benzene ring links the dimers into [001] double chains.

Crystal structure of methyl (E)-2-(1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-yl-idene)acetate.

The title compound, C12H11NO3, is essentially planar, with the mean plane of the acetate side chain [-C-C(=O)-O-C] being inclined to the mean plane of the indole ring system by 12.49 (7)°. The five- and six-membered rings of the indole group are almost coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 1.76 (8)°. The conformation about the C=C bond is E and there is an intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond present. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming inversion dimers, with an R 2 (2)(16) ring motif. The dimers are linked by a second pair of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, enclosing R 2 (2)(16) ring motifs, forming ribbons lying parallel to (-114). The ribbons are linked via C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Facile and diastereoselective synthesis of 3,2'-spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles derivatives, their molecular docking and antiproliferative activities.

In the present study, a series of novel highly functionalized spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles have been synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide formed from isatin and various amino acids such as sarcosine, proline and thioproline with the dipolarophile (E)-3-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)acrylonitrile under optimized conditions. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and shown significant activity.

Egg shell and yolk quality characteristics of layers fed with sugarcane press residue in soya and fish based diets.

AIM: Sugarcane press residue (SPR), a by-product of sugarcane industry, which is rich in inorganic salts was assessed at different levels in both soya based and fish based diets of layers for egg shell and yolk quality characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPR was incorporated in 32-week-old white leghorn layer diets at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% either in the soya based or fish based diets to form T1 to T8 diets, respectively. Each diet was offered to five replicates of four laying hens each constituting a total of one sixty birds kept for 84 days under colony cages. RESULTS: Mean egg shell thickness obtained from eggs of experimental hens measured was 0.342, 0.329, 0.320, 0.322, 0.319, 0.332, 0.328 and 0.336 mm in T1 through T8 groups, respectively. About the main factor effects, both showed non-significant results. Similarly, influence of different treatment diets, in imparting colour to the yolks, was found to be non-significant (p>0.05) at different 28-day time intervals. Further, the average yolk index values ranged non-significantly from 0.360 (T6) to 0.383 (T4). CONCLUSION: The SPR can be incorporated into layer diet as a source of inorganic as well as organic nutrients without affecting its egg quality characteristics.

Effect of supplementation of lysine producing microbes vis-a-vis source and level of dietary protein on performance and egg quality characteristics of post-peak layers.

AIM: The aim was to study the effect of supplementation of lysine producing microbes (LPM) as an in vivo source of lysine on performance and egg quality characters of post-peak layers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BIS (1992) specified diets (except crude protein [CP] and lysine) were prepared using either soybean meal (SBM) or groundnut extractions (GNE) or sunflower extractions (SFE) with 16 and 15% CP resulting in six control diets. Further, each control diet was fortified with either synthetic lysine or LPM to meet BIS (1992) specified lysine requirement resulting in the set of 12 test diets. Each of the eighteen diets was offered to quadruplets groups of 4 post-peak (52 weeks) commercial laying hens in each. The trial lasted for 119 days. RESULT: The results revealed that the feed consumption and body weight changes and Roche yolk color and yolk index were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different among different treatments. However, egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, egg shape index, Haugh unit score, albumen index and shell thickness, and net returns remained non-significant (p ≤ 0.05) among different treatments. Among main factors, protein level (16% and 15% CP) made a significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference in egg production (79.6 and 75.1%) and feed efficiency (2.64 and 2.81 kg feed/kg egg mass, respectively). Among protein source GNE- and SFE-based diet fed groups showed significantly (p < 0.0%) higher feed consumption and body weight gain than SBM based diets fed birds. Yolk color (7.0, 7.3 and 7.3, respectively) and yolk index (0.40, 0.38 and 0.43, respectively) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from the protein sources. CP level and Protein source interaction effects showed significant differences in albumen index and Haugh unit score. CONCLUSION: Optimum level of protein (16% CP) and GNE as a source of protein tended to be superior in increasing the performance and egg characteristics of post-peak layers and supplementation of lysine in either synthetic or LPM form found to be beneficial in optimizing their performance.

Rud's syndrome.

Rud's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by congenital ichthyosis, epilepsy, dwarfism, sexual infantilism, polyneuritis, and macrocytic anemia. We report here an interesting case of this disorder in an 18-year-old girl for its rarity and academic interest.

(4S)-3-Methyl-5,6,7,8-tetra-hydro-4H-spiro-[[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-b]quinoline-4,3'-indole]-2',5-dione.

In the title compound, C18H15N3O3, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline and indole ring systems [r.m.s. deviations = 0.189 (2) and 0.027 (2) Å, respectively] is 88.65 (5)°. The cyclo-hexene ring of the quinoline ring system adopts an envelope conformation with the central -CH2- C atom as the flap. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by two pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers, and enclosing R 2 (2)(14) ring motifs. This arrangement results in the formation of chains propagating along [100].

Genital donovanosis with malignant transformation: An interesting case report.

Donovanosis is a chronic indolent sexually transmitted granulomatous ulceration of genito-inguinal region, caused by Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. It became uncommon due to indiscriminate use of broad spectrum antibiotics. In recent years, much interest is being focused on this condition because genital ulcers facilitate HIV infection. We report an interesting episode of genital donovanosis complicated with squamous cell carcinoma in a middle aged female for its rarity and clinical interest.

1'-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1''-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-2',3',5',6',7',7a'-hexa-hydro-1'H-di-spiro-[1-benzo-pyran-3,2'-pyrrolizine-3',3''-indoline]-2'',4-dione 0.75-hydrate.

In the central aza-bi-cyclo-octane unit of the title compound, C40H34N4O3·0.75H2O, the peripheral pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom deviating by 0.209 (2) Å, whereas the other pyrrolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation with the bridging N and C atoms deviating by -0.218 (2) and 0.236 (3) Å, respectively, from the rest of the ring. The pyrazole ring forms dihedral angles of 42.36 (7) and 24.07 (8)° with its C- and N-attached phenyl groups, respectively. The solvent water mol-ecule has a partial occupancy of 0.75. In the crystal, the water mol-ecules link the fused-ring mol-ecules into chains along the b axis via O-H⋯N and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions involving a methyl-ene group of the pyran ring and the C-attached benzene ring on the pyrazole ring.

1'-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2',3',5',6',7',7a'-hexa-hydro-1'H-di-spiro-[ace-naphthyl-ene-1,3'-pyrrolizine-2',3''-chromane]-2,4''(1H)-dione.

In the title compound, C41H31N3O3, the pyrazole and pyrrolidine rings adopt twisted conformations. The mean plane of the pyrazole ring forms dihedral angles of 9.11 (12) and 39.65 (11)° with the phenyl rings. The O atoms deviate from the mean planes of the chromene and ace-naphthyl-ene ring systems by 0.194 (15) and 0.079 (15) Å, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of C-H⋯O inter-actions,forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(12) ring motif.

The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction: revisited.

The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a transient immunological phenomenon seen commonly in patients during treatment for syphilis, and it manifests clinically with short-term constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and myalgias, besides exacerbation of existing cutaneous lesions. The complex interplay of its underlying patho-physiological mechanisms continues to elude modern medicine, ever since it was described over a century ago. An increase in the incidence of JHR may be expected among patients co-infected with HIV and other infectious diseases including syphilis. Since this subject has not received much attention in recent literature except for brief mentions in standard textbooks, we felt it important to provide an overview of its various attributes including the current concepts in pathophysiology and management.